Coastal Chiefs offense drowned by rain

Wednesday

Aug 1, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 1, 2012 at 1:21 AM

Here is another story about the defense being ahead of the offense.

However, the tough part for the newly formed Hanover Coastal Chiefs is trying to put the pieces together. The even tougher part for the Chiefs from week one to week two was that they had to try to improve in weather conditions that were tougher than normal.

Mark Ducharme

Here is another story about the defense being ahead of the offense.

However, the tough part for the newly formed Hanover Coastal Chiefs is trying to put the pieces together. The even tougher part for the Chiefs from week one to week two was that they had to try to improve in weather conditions that were tougher than normal.

Hanover in monsoon conditions struggled to move the ball in its 12-0 loss to the Tri-City Charge. They were still trying to put together how they to use their players in their second game in their history, but the slick conditions made it difficult for both teams to execute consistently.

“We have to get better weather conditions to help the offense,” said Chiefs head coach Jim Sullivan. “It is very difficult. We have two quarterbacks (Steve Farnick and Pat Burke) that have never played quarterback before in the first place. We then put them in a situation of putting them in against a big team (Tri-City) and they were also playing against the weather. It made it difficult.”

The best opportunity for the Chiefs to score was in the final minute of the game. Andrew Farnick recovered a Tri-City fumble at the Chiefs 45.

They were able to run with the running of Tim Hajjar and Anthony Sargent inside the Charge 20, but a fumble stopped the drive.

The Chiefs battle for field position through the game as well. They were stuck inside their own 30 on each possession that they had.

“The big thing is that we have to get better offensively,” said Sullivan. “They had nine men up in the box. We tried to pass it and this weather it was very difficult.”

The growth of the offense will have to take place on the road as the Chiefs will battle with the Metro West Colonials in Marlboro on Saturday.

The Colonials finished last season with an 0-10 record.

The Chiefs defense has played well in the first two weeks of the season. They have improved in each quarter of both games.

The Chiefs forced two turnovers as Farnick and Bentley grad and Arena Football player Greg Ryan recovered fumbles.

“His football I.Q. is amazing - and no one understands this level of ball like Greg,” said Chiefs owner Steve Santacroce. “He previously retired two years ago. After playing one season with him two years ago I gained as much respect for him as a player and a leader on and off the field as anyone I have ever played any sport with, or ever known as a person - at any time in my life.

“He would dedicate Saturday mornings to help me deliver food to the needy back in Quincy at the food pantry, and sometimes was the only person with me. That was what drove me to start this team. Mr. Ryan literally reaffirmed my belief in the Human Spirit.”

One of the best situations was end of the first half after the Charge picked off a pass inside the Coastal 20.

Luke Lohan, Jason McDonald and Farnick each came up with big plays in stopping a Charge scoring threat at the end of the first half with the Chiefs down by a 6-0 score.

The aggressive Chiefs defense made it tough Tri-City quarterback Dean Bidgood even when he held on to the ball to do anything positive.

“I will take the way that we played defensively,” said Sullivan. “We had one mistake where we had 10 players on the field and they took advantage of it. We played very well defensively.”

Brandon Bennett scored both of the touchdowns for the Charge. The first capped off a short drive before the heavy rain came in the first quarter and second was a 12-yard run in the third quarter.

The Chiefs will try to become road warriors and get the offense in gear this week.